An unfortunately underwhelming book. While there was nothing particularly wrong with anything Bunch writes, it doesn't have the depth or robustness - either theological or sociological - that I was hoping for.

Be Kind To Yourself is a practical book with lots of specific exercises you can do. I think that any reader could find at least some exercises that could work for them for them and be helpful. Parts of the book are much like a devotional with a small story followed by a practice for the reader to try. Cindy offers the reader options for ways to read the book from the beginning; you can read whole chapters or the shorter devotional like sections if you just have a few minutes or would like to quickly find an idea to try. I would recommend that you get a print copy if possible, as Cindy provides the templates for the exercises right in the book. Plus, it's a beautiful book that would look great in any collection. Cindy draws on many other authors to show where some of her inspiration came from. It's really a hodgepodge of practices for spiritual growth and self care in the best possible way.

I thought that Cindy did an excellent job in this book giving you realistic ideas and tips towards adding some refreshing and valuable positivity to your life. This was a quick read with tangible advice and I loved the message.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book, but all views and opinions are my own.

[From the September Woman Alive book club]

Cindy Bunch’s book, Be Kind to Yourself, seems apposite when many of us feel battered and bruised. In its simplicity and brevity, it feels kind in and of itself – it’s not a weighty tome that we have to wade through cheerlessly. Instead, it’s a hands-on thirty-day guide to introducing some small spiritual practices to show yourself some self-love.

Show yourself some love? That statement may make you take pause. We know the greatest commandment – love your neighbour as yourself. But do we take seriously the second half, to love ourselves? We can feel fearful that we’ll be narcissistic or self-involved. Yet in showing ourselves kindness, in extending to ourselves the same grace we would a close friend, we actually can build in empathy and care for others, as Cindy says.

Her book centres around two questions rooted in Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual practice of examen, in which we look back over the day to see where God was at work and how we responded. In this vein she poses two questions to consider regularly: What’s bugging you? What’s bringing you joy? Exploring our responses to those two questions can unlock deeper things within our mind and heart. This autumn would be a good time to put her thirty days of gentle exercises into practice, before we hit the busy season of Advent and Christmas and then the sometimes bleak days of January.

Another reviewer wrote that this book would be appropriate for 17 to 30-year-olds, however I have to differ. I am 64 years old and I found many of the authors suggestions and stories and insights valuable, relevant, and ultimately helpful for me on my own spiritual journey.

Thanks to NetGalley, The author and publisher for an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is a memoir with some self-help suggestions in each chapter. It has some good ideas, but overall felt choppy and disjointed to me.